The Boneyard is in danger of turning into the Summitt

[doggydaddy]

It wouldn't hurt if everyone looked at Nan's post and honestly assessed themselves based on her list of 5 items.

1. Calling opposing coaches or players childish names - check
2. Scouring the Internet and news articles for perceived insults or - more importantly - a lack of appropriate reverence for the Huskies. And heaven forbid an opposing player believe their team might have a chance to win - check
3. Harassing and insulting visiting fans, not for what these fans say but for the fact the fan might have Vol or RU or Card or whatever as part of their handle - check
4. Drowning out people that want to discuss possible team weaknesses or who would criticize Geno - not really, although some threads trend that way. This is actually a Boneyard strength but I would be happier if people could argue or disagree without being insulting
5. Trashing recruits for not choosing UConn - oh, check this one a dozen times. That's what put me over the edge and made me want to write this post.

1. I called McGraw "Ann", her given name in one post. Didn't think it was so bad but some got upset, so I stopped. I don't recall calling any other coaches names, so I think I'm ok here.

2. I don't think this applies to me. I do read other boards and articles. I try not to bring them here. I'll be more aware of this.

3. There are a couple of fans from other schools that rub me the wrong way. The repetitive postings of Stwainfan drive me crazy. I will admit that I have no patience based on ancient history. I should do better and certainly will try. But I don't expect to be perfect so I will apologize now for my future behavior towards visiting fans.

4. I know I do insult in my participation of the many back and forths we have here. Most of the time it's using humor but I know I can get carried away. Again, apologizing for future behavior. I'll try to do better.

5. I know I don't participate in this. Well, at least from the insulting recruit side. I hate this as well. I get on posters that do this and I probably won't drop. I'll certainly try to do it without insults.

Bottom line for me is to just be more tolerant of others. Sometimes it's just not that easy.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Ok, I'll share.

I find the BY a wonderful place to visit with its diverse viewpoint. For the most part, I stay away from controversial topics, because many of them directly involve UConn as an entity (I can't explain any better, but the same idea that I wouldn't want UConn fans on the RU board giving opinions on everything Rutgers). But I love to discuss basketball in general, Geno in general, and the various topics that I enjoy.

That said, I see 100% what Nan is saying. While the specific issues are not the same, the Rutgers board has lost some long-time posters because of the way the board has been "tending" as well, and for a reason Nan or someone else pointed out "it just wasn't fun to read anymore" - and like the BY, the RU Rivals board is very well moderated by a long time moderator.

I would add that many of Nan's issues with a small group of BY posters are the same issues that fans of opposing teams perceive in what is undoubtedly a small group of UConn fans that you meet at games - folks that are hostile because you are not a UConn fan, even if you do nothing but cheer for your own team, looking for a slight in everything you say, and insulting your players and coach.

I say what I say about fans in general - don't let a small group of fans spoil the greater good.

 

[Zorro]

I'ma thinking I will take a little break away from the BY. At this point, I don't really know what I can and cannot say without getting in trouble, offending someone, being childish, insulting another poster, etc. I have been extremely overworked and stressed and I have enjoyed the BY for years as a way to escape the stress. But frankly, I have too much stress in my life right now. My little transgression and the resulting hurt of one poster's attack on my character has caused me way more stress than I can handle.

I may be back at some point. But right now...it just isn't fun any more.

Don't deprive the rest of us of the pleasure of your company simply because some curmudgeon roughed you up a bit. Pretty much all of us have had the same experience at one time or another. It does sound as if someone owes you a major apology. But whether you get it or not, don't go away.

 

[caramel]

It wouldn't hurt if everyone looked at Nan's post and honestly assessed themselves based on her list of 5 items.

1. 
   [ ]Calling opposing coaches or players childish names - check
   [ ]Scouring the Internet and news articles for perceived insults or - more importantly - a lack of appropriate reverence for the Huskies. And heaven forbid an opposing player believe their team might have a chance to win - check
   [ ]Harassing and insulting visiting fans, not for what these fans say but for the fact the fan might have Vol or RU or Card or whatever as part of their handle - check
   [ ]Drowning out people that want to discuss possible team weaknesses or who would criticize Geno - not really, although some threads trend that way. This is actually a Boneyard strength but I would be happier if people could argue or disagree without being insulting
   [ ]Trashing recruits for not choosing UConn - oh, check this one a dozen times. That's what put me over the edge and made me want to write this post.

1. I called McGraw "Ann", her given name in one post. Didn't think it was so bad but some got upset, so I stopped. I don't recall calling any other coaches names, so I think I'm ok here.

2. I don't think this applies to me. I do read other boards and articles. I try not to bring them here. I'll be more aware of this.

3. There are a couple of fans from other schools that rub me the wrong way. The repetitive postings of Stwainfan drive me crazy. I will admit that I have no patience based on ancient history. I should do better and certainly will try. But I don't expect to be perfect so I will apologize now for my future behavior towards visiting fans.

4. I know I do insult in my participation of the many back and forths we have here. Most of the time it's using humor but I know I can get carried away. Again, apologizing for future behavior. I'll try to do better.

5. I know I don't participate in this. Well, at least from the insulting recruit side. I hate this as well. I get on posters that do this and I probably won't drop. I'll certainly try to do it without insults.

Bottom line for me is to just be more tolerant of others. Sometimes it's just not that easy.

I rather enjoy your posts.It keeps the forum moving with fresh thinking.

 

[triaddukefan]

Thanks Nan. As I posted yesterday we need to get rid of the mean spiritedness. I've been guilty too. We just don't need this. If you see any of this on my posts, please correct me ASAP and I will apologize immediately.
Can we all try our best to buy into this?
Who's in?

So does this mean you will quit referring to Duke as ?

 

[triaddukefan]

Don't deprive the rest of us of the pleasure of your company simply because some curmudgeon roughed you up a bit. Pretty much all of us have had the same experience at one time or another. It does sound as if someone owes you a major apology. But whether you get it or not, don't go away.

 

[doggydaddy]

I rather enjoy your posts.It keeps the forum moving with fresh thinking.

We can all do better.

 

[Zorro]

Triad; Sorry I forgot to include you in the list of visitors who can take a punch.

Incidentally, and way off-topic, I wanted to ask you; how far back does the UNC thing go? Does it predate the current scandal, or result from it? Specifically, was there some sort of strong suspicion among NC rivals of dirty work at the crossroads before the lid blew off of the African-American Studies mess? Or was it simply a derogatory term of the "UCan't" nature? Jes wondrin.

 

[cabbie191]

Not sure I got my meaning across but I will say the difference between trash-talk and name-calling is like smutography - I can't explain it but I know it when I see it. UNC and Squid are trash-talk, IMO.

I find this an oddity in myself. It bugs me on other boards when UConn is referred to UCant, but when the moniker UNC first graced this board, I found it absolutely delightful. And in light of what apparently transpired over there, I retrospectively would also consider it educational.

 

[johnnyc]

1. I called McGraw "Ann", her given name in one post. Didn't think it was so bad but some got upset, so I stopped. I don't recall calling any other coaches names, so I think I'm ok here.

Hope your not referring to my comment in that thread. I thought it was silly but was not upset. I posted it knowing you were of age to appreciate the Ali reference.

3. There are a couple of fans from other schools that rub me the wrong way. The repetitive postings of Stwainfan drive me crazy. I will admit that I have no patience based on ancient history. I should do better and certainly will try. But I don't expect to be perfect so I will apologize now for my future behavior towards visiting fans.

I tend to agree with ya on this one. Don't believe the board ever got a congratulations from stwainfan.

I really don't recall anything in your posts that would suggest other than you being a good fan

 

[doggydaddy]

Hope your not referring to my comment in that thread. I thought it was silly but was not upset. I posted it knowing you were of age to appreciate the Ali reference.



I tend to agree with ya on this one. Don't believe the board ever got a congratulations from stwainfan.

I really don't recall anything in your posts that would suggest other than you being a good fan

Nope. Don't think it was you. I'd look, but I don't really care. It's no big deal.

 

[UcMiami]

So does this mean you will quit referring to Duke as ?

Nope!!!! That is grandfathered into the rules here!

 

[Wally East]

I think you're dead wrong on this. First, because the ribbing we're talking about is really more like ripping. And second, it's irrelevant whether the targets read it, the BY'ers read it and it contributes to the trash talk and lowers our culture. In other words, it spreads like a disease.

I can't agree more with this. Giving respect to opponents and opponents' fans elevates the board while using an insulting nickname for a school lowers the board. It was one thing I truly hated when reading the Summit. The various nicknames for UConn showed such a level of hate and vitriol that was alternately pitiable and disturbing.

 

[RadyLady]

When someone has some inside information, even if it is a rumor from a well placed source, I want to hear about it. That's interesting stuff, and Nan posted it because some of us are interested.

The other thread was closed because it devolved in a name calling thread. Posters have to be better, it's simple as that.

sorry, we will have to agree to disagree here..

 

[CCinCT]

Re: the Summitt and Volnation boards -

"What we have there is failure to moderate"

 

[intlzncster]

So does this mean you will quit referring to Duke as ?

It's dook. Not .

 

[intlzncster]

sorry, we will have to agree to disagree here..

That's fine and is what's great about message boards. You don't have to follow any threads you are not interested in.

 

[intlzncster]

Hope your not referring to my comment in that thread. I thought it was silly but was not upset. I posted it knowing you were of age to appreciate the Ali reference.



I tend to agree with ya on this one. Don't believe the board ever got a congratulations from stwainfan.

I really don't recall anything in your posts that would suggest other than you being a good fan

They don't need to congratulate. They just need to not be obnoxious, probably more so than a UCONN fan.

 

[RadyLady]

I'ma thinking I will take a little break away from the BY. At this point, I don't really know what I can and cannot say without getting in trouble, offending someone, being childish, insulting another poster, etc. I have been extremely overworked and stressed and I have enjoyed the BY for years as a way to escape the stress. But frankly, I have too much stress in my life right now. My little transgression and the resulting hurt of one poster's attack on my character has caused me way more stress than I can handle.

I may be back at some point. But right now...it just isn't fun any more.

Chap, please don't go. Everyone makes mistakes, and there are times I know when I don't know the right thing to do or say. But taking away something that is a distraction from stress is not good. If you worry about what to say, write it down in another application, give it a few minutes, and go back and reread it - most of my posts are done this way...gives your mind time to refresh and reload.

Think about it - you had one incident out of how many posts?

 

[RadyLady]

That's fine and is what's great about message boards. You don't have to follow any threads you are not interested in.

Instructional. I would imagine someone posting as much and as long as I have would know this.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I haven't been to the Summitt in years. It was years before the board went pay-for that I stopped reading it and I stopped reading it because while the majority of people there are nice, normal folk that just want to talk about the team they love, a small group of sourpusses ruined it as a congenial place. That group, which I call the Tin Foil Hat Brigade, is nasty, paranoid, and immune to rational discourse. And I see signs of this creeping into the Boneyard. The checklist of symptoms:

1. 
   [ ]Calling opposing coaches or players childish names - check
   [ ]Scouring the Internet and news articles for perceived insults or - more importantly - a lack of appropriate reverence for the Huskies. And heaven forbid an opposing player believe their team might have a chance to win - check
   [ ]Harassing and insulting visiting fans, not for what these fans say but for the fact the fan might have Vol or RU or Card or whatever as part of their handle - check
   [ ]Drowning out people that want to discuss possible team weaknesses or who would criticize Geno - not really, although some threads trend that way. This is actually a Boneyard strength but I would be happier if people could argue or disagree without being insulting
   [ ]Trashing recruits for not choosing UConn - oh, check this one a dozen times. That's what put me over the edge and made me want to write this post.

This is a message board to discuss a group of teenagers/twenty-somethings playing a game. It's not the Middle East peace talks and shouldn't be taken as seriously. There are people here that won't let go of their anger at one sentence uttered by Tara VanDerveer 20 years ago (see #2 above) and I'm not even going to broach the topic of Pat Summit.

The Boneyard should be a fun place to visit but I've noticed since my "real" job has required me to work longer hours, I have limited free time and I choose to ignore the Boneyard in favor of something more relaxing. In what should have been one of the most enjoyable seasons in a few years, we've started to get a collection of sourpusses a la the Summit. Now, I can try talking to folks, that's what this post is, weeding out the sourpusses (a few have disappeared already), or I can just say "the heck with it" because people would rather recreate the Summitt with its overbearing sense of entitlement and nastiness. I don't know what's going to happen because it's not my decision, it's the decision of all you folks on the board. Let me know what direction you want to take.

It's apparent what type of board the vast majority of people want to have. No one knows what thoughts are passing through a young teenagers mind when they (and their parents) make a decision on where they want to matriculate. If their choice has to do with locale, if it has to do with the school's educational opportunities, if has to do with friends they might have made in the AAU careers, if it has to do with conference affiliations, if it has to do with playing opportunities, if it has to do with helping make the program special. It can be any one or more of these things or it could be something else but it is THEIR choice and they really shouldn't be slammed for it. It also sends a bad message to others as to what kind of people support our University. We know we have a wonderful program and a wonderful coaching staff along with great facilities but it doesn't mean it is perfect for everyone. We will surely get enough blue chip kids who have the "Right stuff" who will continue to help make Storrs Connecticut a special place for both men's and women's basketball. Insofar as defending UConn, we really could just laugh at some of the silliness that's thrown our way and the envy that's come from our enormous success, particularly in the women's game. We obviously should note that it's a little more difficult to dominate in men's basketball for a few reasons including NBA opportunities that cause some talented players leave long before their four years are up. In any case, I think sometimes some of us leap on posters from other programs, even if their posts are largely tame and not hypercritical of our Huskies. This should be a place where everyone who is civil, has an opportunity to share an opinion, even one we may not totally agree with. All things being said, I think that the Boneyard continues to be a pretty classy place overall and a lot has to do with people like yourself, Nan! Thanks for the work that you do here!

I haven't been to the Summitt in years. It was years before the board went pay-for that I stopped reading it and I stopped reading it because while the majority of people there are nice, normal folk that just want to talk about the team they love, a small group of sourpusses ruined it as a congenial place. That group, which I call the Tin Foil Hat Brigade, is nasty, paranoid, and immune to rational discourse. And I see signs of this creeping into the Boneyard. The checklist of symptoms:

1. 
   [ ]Calling opposing coaches or players childish names - check
   [ ]Scouring the Internet and news articles for perceived insults or - more importantly - a lack of appropriate reverence for the Huskies. And heaven forbid an opposing player believe their team might have a chance to win - check
   [ ]Harassing and insulting visiting fans, not for what these fans say but for the fact the fan might have Vol or RU or Card or whatever as part of their handle - check
   [ ]Drowning out people that want to discuss possible team weaknesses or who would criticize Geno - not really, although some threads trend that way. This is actually a Boneyard strength but I would be happier if people could argue or disagree without being insulting
   [ ]Trashing recruits for not choosing UConn - oh, check this one a dozen times. That's what put me over the edge and made me want to write this post.

This is a message board to discuss a group of teenagers/twenty-somethings playing a game. It's not the Middle East peace talks and shouldn't be taken as seriously. There are people here that won't let go of their anger at one sentence uttered by Tara VanDerveer 20 years ago (see #2 above) and I'm not even going to broach the topic of Pat Summit.

 

[intlzncster]

Instructional. I would imagine someone posting as much and as long as I have would know this.

That wasn't intended to be 'instructional' nor snarky for that matter. It was merely the reason behind the "that's what's so great about message boards".

 

[triaddukefan]

Nope!!!! That is grandfathered into the rules here!

It's dook. Not .

 

[ChicagoGG]

Agree with the OP in many, many aspects. I have recently been chastised by a moderator (and rightly so!) for a comment that was perceived as an attack against a certain segment of society and which some posters were offended. I readily admitted to the moderator that I was wrong, deeply embarrassed and ashamed for making a comment that was taken in such a way. One response to my post, directly or indirectly, called me a bigot. I have apologized both to the entire board, and directly to the poster through PM. I made a mistake in which someone who knows NOTHING about me as a person and my beliefs implied to the entire board I was something which I abhor. And that was VERY hurtful. So, yes, I know about the hurt that can be caused by both making a harsh and/or poorly phrased comment as well as the ensuing backlash.

Chapette - so sorry you had a bad experience. Please do not go away, you are a valuable voice on the Yard. I think many would agree with me that you would be very much missed.

 

[semper]

To agree with Nan, I would make two points. All the Muffet threads drove me nuts, even though I was shocked and saddened by her behaviour. She was bad; but we made it worse. And then some the junk on the A'ja threads...well, I've made a pact not to read recruitment threads for a long time. I am sorry for the times I ragged a bit on some of our visitors, but I think I did it not out of animus, but rather just because I was bored with some of the same old saws or attempts to somehow bring us down. I don't like it, but as I say, I'm sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings.

I am going on a Boneyard vacation for a few weeks now. It's been a GREAT ride, and I'm so grateful. But I gotta get some work done, and off season threads can be really tedious. So just want to say how much I like it, and what a great group I think this is, and how much I appreciate the great analysis and the good humor. And the great mods. Oh and I will keep checking for the link to see Stef on Fallon's show.

Can you believe that Colbert will take over for Letterman? Maybe he'll have Stef on too!

 

[CL82]

I understand your intent but in practical terms this wouldn't work. Each board has its own personality because there are different numbers of posters with different interests and perhaps different demographics. For example, even here on the Boneyard the women's board is different from the men's hoops board which is different from the football board and that's fine. The women's forum is mostly older folks with a higher percentage of women than the other boards while the men's board is generally men under the age of 40 or so. Completely different people with different needs and styles.

I don't come on this board often enough to know whether there has been a decline in decorum but I strongly, strongly doubt it has even vaguely approached the cesspool that the old public Summitt had become, before it became a for pay cesspool. For the most part I find posters to this board to be civil and considerate of other viewpoints almost to a fault, but perhaps that has changed. I get the sense from time to time that posters on this board view the other boards as the wild west. The fact that we have so many visitors from other sites on the men's' bb board, on the football board and on the conference realignment board leads me to believe otherwise. Also, there are quite a few of us over there who might be just a bit over 40, give or take a decade or so.

For what it is worth, diversity of opinion and passionate opinions is what makes the Boneyard a great place (along with the occasional anthropomorphized scrotum, if you read the men's board.) A board without passion and heated debate, would be a bland place. That's not an endorsement of personal attacks, which I agreed are infantile and, well, boring for the most part, but it is an acknowledgement that an passionate exchange of ideas isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Just my opinion.

 

[psconn]

I haven't been to the Summitt in years. It was years before the board went pay-for that I stopped reading it and I stopped reading it because while the majority of people there are nice, normal folk that just want to talk about the team they love, a small group of sourpusses ruined it as a congenial place. That group, which I call the Tin Foil Hat Brigade, is nasty, paranoid, and immune to rational discourse. And I see signs of this creeping into the Boneyard. The checklist of symptoms:

1. 
   [ ]Calling opposing coaches or players childish names - check
   [ ]Scouring the Internet and news articles for perceived insults or - more importantly - a lack of appropriate reverence for the Huskies. And heaven forbid an opposing player believe their team might have a chance to win - check
   [ ]Harassing and insulting visiting fans, not for what these fans say but for the fact the fan might have Vol or RU or Card or whatever as part of their handle - check
   [ ]Drowning out people that want to discuss possible team weaknesses or who would criticize Geno - not really, although some threads trend that way. This is actually a Boneyard strength but I would be happier if people could argue or disagree without being insulting
   [ ]Trashing recruits for not choosing UConn - oh, check this one a dozen times. That's what put me over the edge and made me want to write this post.

This is a message board to discuss a group of teenagers/twenty-somethings playing a game. It's not the Middle East peace talks and shouldn't be taken as seriously. There are people here that won't let go of their anger at one sentence uttered by Tara VanDerveer 20 years ago (see #2 above) and I'm not even going to broach the topic of Pat Summit.

The Boneyard should be a fun place to visit but I've noticed since my "real" job has required me to work longer hours, I have limited free time and I choose to ignore the Boneyard in favor of something more relaxing. In what should have been one of the most enjoyable seasons in a few years, we've started to get a collection of sourpusses a la the Summit. Now, I can try talking to folks, that's what this post is, weeding out the sourpusses (a few have disappeared already), or I can just say "the heck with it" because people would rather recreate the Summitt with its overbearing sense of entitlement and nastiness. I don't know what's going to happen because it's not my decision, it's the decision of all you folks on the board. Let me know what direction you want to take.

Nan - Seems like a good time to suggest another avatar in keeping with the usual theme...
Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha on the History Channel's Vikings series. A really kick-@55 woman if there ever was one.

 

[pap49cba]

I don't disagree with many of Nan's observations but IMHO the BY has many fathoms more to sink before it reaches the level of The Summitt.

 

[RadyLady]

That wasn't intended to be 'instructional' nor snarky for that matter. It was merely the reason behind the "that's what's so great about message boards".

Sorry - my suggestion for what it's worth is that when you are not trying to be snarky by telling a long time poster about message boards and their use, you might try to use a emoticon, otherwise you appear to be as you put it, "snarky". I would say that the message appeared to be condescending to a long time poster such as myself.

Happy to take this to PM if you wish to continue.

 

[intlzncster]

Sorry - my suggestion for what it's worth is that when you are not trying to be snarky by telling a long time poster about message boards and their use, you might try to use a emoticon, otherwise you appear to be as you put it, "snarky". I would say that the message appeared to be condescending to a long time poster such as myself.

Happy to take this to PM if you wish to continue.

Wait a minute, you take umbrage at being instructed.....and then proceed to instruct me in return on how to use the message board!

I kid, I kid. I'm not fussed about the whole thing and am happy to let the matter drop.